The Future Forces Exhibition & Forum is a biennial international defence and security trade show held in Prague, Czech Republic, running 21-23 October 2026 at PVA EXPO PRAGUE. It brings together over 400 exhibitors from more than 35 countries and 9,000-plus professional visitors including official delegations from 70-plus nations, combining a large exhibition floor with official NATO working group sessions and more than fifteen concurrent expert conferences.
Future Forces Exhibition & Forum (FFF) is a biennial international exhibition of defence and security technologies held in Prague, Czech Republic. Organized by the Future Forces Forum International Coordination Centre, the event runs every two years and combines a multi-hall trade exhibition with a dense programme of expert conferences, official NATO working group sessions, and B2B/B2G/G2G matchmaking. The 2026 edition takes place 21-23 October at PVA EXPO PRAGUE and is expected to host over 400 exhibitors from more than 35 countries, 9,000-plus professional visitors, and more than 1,000 official delegates and VIPs from defence, security, and emergency domains across 70-plus countries.
Future Forces traces its roots to 2000, when Prague began hosting a regular international platform dedicated to defence and security networking. Over more than 25 years the event grew from a regional Central European gathering into a trans-Atlantic forum with official endorsement from NATO, the European Defence Agency (EDA), and Czech state institutions at the highest level including the President, Prime Minister, and ministers of Defence, Interior, and Foreign Affairs.
The integration of official NATO working group sessions distinguishes FFF from purely commercial trade shows: since its early editions NATO Army Armaments Group (NAAG) and NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) working groups have met at the venue, giving the event a procedural weight unusual for civilian-organised exhibitions.
The 2026 edition runs 21-23 October and is embedded in the broader Future Forces Forum week (19-23 October), which opens with official NATO working group sessions from 19 October and a Future Air Force Conference from 20 October. The exhibition itself adds a new feature: for the first time in the Czech Republic, a mobile container live firing range capable of testing firearms, ammunition, ballistics, protection, optics, and sensors will be available on the floor, with two firing positions up to 10 metres in length and a calibre limit of 12.7 mm.
The expert programme for 2026 spans fifteen named conferences and panels covering topics from autonomous systems and counter-UAS to CBRN, cyber security, space, medical lessons from Ukraine, command and control, and homeland security resilience.
Held in late October of even years, FFF occupies an autumn slot that avoids direct competition with DSEI (September, odd years) and Eurosatory (June, even years). Within Central and Eastern Europe it is the largest regular defence exhibition, sitting above MSPO (Poland, September), IDEB (Slovakia, May), and HEMUS (Bulgaria, biennial). Its combination of a live-fire demonstration area, NATO institutional sessions, and a start-up innovation pavilion gives it a broader programmatic range than most comparably sized regional shows.
On the exhibitor side, the floor typically hosts prime contractors, tier-two equipment suppliers, technology companies, start-ups, research institutions, and universities. National pavilions and joint cluster expositions allow smaller entities to exhibit under beneficial terms. The 2024 edition recorded 340 exhibitors from 34 countries; 2026 target figures are 400-plus from 35-plus countries.
Visitors represent the full spectrum of Czech and international defence and security communities: military officers, procurement officials, government representatives, diplomatic missions, law enforcement, emergency services, academia, and professional media. The 2024 edition drew over 8,500 professionals including 1,100 official delegates from more than 70 countries; 2026 targets raise the visitor figure above 9,000.
The exhibition occupies the PVA EXPO PRAGUE halls and outdoor areas with several specialised zones. The Innovation Pavilion offers start-ups, spin-offs, R&D centres, and universities a 4 sq m shell-scheme stand with basic fit-out and a marketing package for 950 EUR. A Cyber Pavilion hosts cybersecurity and defence providers alongside a dedicated Cyber Stage. The NATO Pavilion connects visitors with NATO divisions, organisations, and agencies.
An Exhibitor Stage provides a free presentation slot for all exhibitors; an indoor and outdoor Live Demo Area supports product demonstrations. The new 2026 live firing range adds a physical testing capability rarely available at European urban-venue exhibitions.
The wider FFF programme satellite events include: Future Forces Conference (opening strategic panel), Future Air Force Conference, Future Land Forces Panel, Future C2 Conference, Multi-Domain Autonomous and Robotic Systems Conference, MESAS (NATO M&S COE modelling and simulation conference), CBRN Defence Technology and Innovation Forum, Medical Conference, Future of Cyber Conference, Security and Defence Interests in Space Conference, Defence and Security Innovation Forum, Future Civil Security Conference, Homeland Security and Resilience Conference, Future Integrated Forces Conference, and the Annual Police Conference.
Key thematic pillars for 2026: Air Defence and Counter-UAS; Autonomous Systems, Robotics and AI; CBRN; Counter-Terrorism; Crisis Management and Critical Infrastructure Protection; Crisis and Military Medicine; Cyber Security and Defence; Emerging and Disruptive Technologies; Future Air Force; Future Land Forces; Homeland Security and Resilience; Individual Equipment and Protection; Integrated Forces; Law Enforcement; Logistics; Training and Simulation.
| Exhibitors (target) | 400+ from 35+ countries |
| Professional visitors (target) | 9,000+ from 70+ countries |
| Official delegates and VIPs (target) | 1,000+ |
| Expert conferences and panels | 15+ concurrent |
| NATO working group sessions | 2 (NAAG LCGDSS; NSPA DSEUG) |
| Live firing range (new 2026) | 2 positions, 10 m, up to 12.7 mm calibre |
| 2024 reference: exhibitors | 340 from 34 countries |
| 2024 reference: visitors | 8,500+ incl. 1,100 official delegates |
Future Forces Forum (FFF) is the umbrella brand for a week-long cluster of events held in Prague every two years. The Future Forces Exhibition and Forum (21-23 October 2026) is the centrepiece trade exhibition and conference component. Surrounding satellite events include the Future Air Force Conference, NATO working group sessions, MESAS, and a dozen specialist panels. Attendance at the exhibition does not automatically grant access to all satellite events; some require separate registration.
Professional and business visitors from the defence, security, emergency, and academic sectors register free of charge. The final day of the exhibition is also open to the general public in some editions; the 2026 policy was not confirmed at time of verification. Exhibitor access requires submission of an Application Form.
NATO is an endorsing body rather than an organiser. The exhibition has received consistent endorsement from NATO civilian and military structures, and the NAAG and NSPA working groups hold their official sessions at the venue during the FFF week. The presence of a NATO Pavilion on the exhibition floor provides direct public access to Alliance agencies.
PVA EXPO PRAGUE is located in Letnany, Prague 9, at Beranových 667, 199 00 Praha 9. The complex offers approximately 32,000 sq m of covered exhibition space across multiple interconnected halls, plus substantial outdoor demonstration areas. It is accessible by Prague Metro Line C (red line) from Letnansky station, and is approximately 10 km from Prague city centre and 8 km from Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG). The venue serves as the home of the FFF biennial cycle and is equipped for large-scale outdoor demonstrations.
The Future Forces Forum International Coordination Centre is a Prague-based body that has coordinated the FFF event cycle since 2000. It works in close cooperation with the Czech Ministry of Defence, Ministry of the Interior, Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, Czech Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Prison Service, Customs Administration, and numerous national and international institutions. The Defence and Security Industry Association (DSIA) of the Czech Republic serves as an industry partner. The general partner for the 2026 edition is Czechoslovak Group (CSG). NATO and EDA endorse the event.
Prague's biennial defence forum is arguably the best entry point in Central Europe for any company seeking simultaneous exposure to military procurement officials, NATO structures, and an innovation-hungry Eastern flank market: no other show in the region combines a live firing capability, fifteen expert conferences, and two active NATO working group sessions under one roof.
Professional visitors register free of charge via the online registration form at future-forces-forum.org. Exhibitors submit an Application Form or an Enquiry Form to the FFF team. Exhibit space rates for 2026: Row (1 side open) 230 EUR per sq m; Corner (2 sides open) 260 EUR per sq m; Peninsula (3 sides open) 300 EUR per sq m; Island (4 sides open) 325 EUR per sq m; Outdoor 115 EUR per sq m. Innovation Pavilion package (4 sq m including shell scheme, equipment, power outlet, registration fee, and marketing package): 950 EUR; extensions to 6 sq m or 8 sq m at 100 EUR per sq m additional. A 10% early-bird discount applies to Exhibitor Application Forms submitted by the early-bird deadline (not disclosed). No public-day ticket pricing was confirmed at time of verification.
Take Prague Metro Line C (red) to Letnansky or Prosek stations; the venue is a short walk. By car, take the D8 or ring-road exit towards Letnany. Václav Havel Airport Prague is approximately 8 km away; no direct rail connection - taxi or rideshare takes about 15 minutes in light traffic.
Visitors register as professionals without requiring a security clearance. Exhibitors and participants in restricted NATO working group sessions may be subject to additional vetting by the relevant NATO or Czech defence authorities. Media accreditation is available via the FFF press office.
The FFF website lists an official accommodation partner (Hotel DAP) and recommends booking early given the event's scale. Prague city centre hotels are approximately 20-30 minutes away by Metro.
| Official website | https://www.future-forces-forum.org/ |
| Exhibition website | https://www.natoexhibition.org/ |
| https://www.linkedin.com/company/future-forces-forum | |
| X | https://twitter.com/ForcesForum |
| Register (visitors) | https://www.future-forces-forum.org/events/registration |
| Exhibitor application | https://future-forces-forum.org/download/FF26-Application-Form-en.pdf |
| Programme | https://www.future-forces-forum.org/events/ |